\n\t\tThe soldiers reportedly did not retaliate.\n\t<\/p>\n
Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were reportedly stoned by Zimbabweans who wanted to enter the country illegally on the Beitbridge border on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The soldiers were trying to retrieve a SANDF boat that had floated towards the Zimbabwean side of the Limpopo River, but they were stoned and insults were hurled at them.<\/p>\n
It is alleged that those who attacked the soldiers accused them of disturbing their plans to enter South Africa illegally. <\/p>\n
The soldiers reportedly did not retaliate.<\/p>\n
SANDF members attacked at Beitbridge border post<\/p>\n
The SANDF has been patrolling the Limpopo River because it has been used as an entry point into South Africa.<\/p>\n
Sipho Chauke, the chief border guard at Beitbridge, told Newzroom Afrika<\/a> that illegal crossing into South Africa was problematic for the Border Management Authority (BMA).<\/p>\n \u201cIf we can be given powers of arresting because normally with the Zimbabweans, we take them back to Zimbabwe and when they arrive in Zimbabwe it seems as if they are not being dealt with. <\/p>\n \u201cSometimes we find ourselves deporting one person four of five times a day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n ALSO READ: BMA, SANDF intercept more than 20 unsupervised minors near Beitbridge<\/a><\/p>\n Chauke said over 70 people have been apprehended while trying to get into South Africa illegally this weekend. <\/p>\n He described the number as high.<\/p>\n The BMA has processed thousands of people who came into South Africa through Beitbridge border post this weekend.<\/p>\n Ramaphosa on illegal immigration<\/p>\n Replying to questions in Parliament late last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa claimed that one of the most important interventions to tackle the problem of illegal immigration<\/a> is to secure the country\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n Ramaphosa told MPs that the BMA has demonstrated the effectiveness of modern technology like the utilisation of drones and body cameras in creating a more secure border environment.<\/p>\n He also highlighted another area of work is to detect, apprehend and deport illegal migrants who are already in the country.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is mainly done through intelligence-driven joint operations planned and executed by the Department of Home Affairs Inland Inspectorate and other structures.<\/p>\n \u201cThese structures are coordinated and account to the inter-ministerial consultative committee on border management and our Natjoints.\u201d<\/p>\n Deportations<\/p>\n According to the president, over 51 000 illegal immigrants were deported in the past financial year.<\/p>\n